Apparatus For Dental Treatment

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for treatment of teeth, including one or more dental treatment applicators having at least two walls and a floor, the walls and floor defining a well configured to accommodate at least one human dental arcade and an active agent. Furthermore, one or more energy-applying elements such as electrodes or light sources are located on at least one of the walls.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/172,983, filed Feb. 5, 2014, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/864,648, filed Aug. 12, 2013,the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

External appearance is important to practically every person. In recentyears, methods and apparatuses have been developed for various dentaltreatments, namely fluorination of teeth as a preventative measureagainst tooth decay (e.g., tooth caries) and teeth whitening foraesthetic purposes.

Whitening teeth generally refers to application of any number ofchemical and/or physical (mechanical) processes, procedures, ortreatments, performed singly or in combination, which result inreturning, and/or providing white color to teeth.

The chemical agents most commonly used for teeth whitening are oxidizingagents such as peroxides, some of which are activated when stimulatedelectrically, by heat and/or by light.

Application of chemical agents has been done in the past by using a“soaking” tray applied to a dental arcade for a given period of timewherein the teeth are brought into contact with the chemical agent. Thetreatment demanded much patience from the subject due to the length oftime required for the chemical reaction to affect the teeth andmoreover, in some cases—repeated treatments.

Attempts at changing the concentration of the chemical agent and/or theamount of time of exposure to the chemical agent, for whitening teeth,have been made. For example, some techniques (methods, devices) involveuse of an electrical current to stimulate ion exchange, provide a thinconductive coating on the surface of the teeth, thereby enhancing theteeth conductivity. However, some of the existing techniques aretypically based on using an electrical circuit which runs through anon-intra-oral cavity body part of an individual.

A typical chemical agent most commonly used for teeth whitening ishydrogen peroxide, although other relatively strong oxidizing agents, atappropriate concentrations and conditions of oral application are alsocommonly used for whitening teeth. Teeth are exposed to such strongoxidizing agents, whereby the oxidizing agents oxidize, and possiblyalso chemically degrade, substances which discolor teeth. However,applications of techniques for whitening teeth based on use of oxidizingagents, are typically accompanied by inadvertent or unpreventable, andundesirable, exposure of non-tooth intraoral cavity components, e.g.,gum and tissue exterior surfaces, to the oxidizing agents. In somecases, applications of chemical or active agents is accompanied byapplication of a process or a material accelerating the bleaching orwhitening action of the agent.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,301 discloses that the bleaching/whitening agentscurrently used in the art can be further activated by the constantapplication of heat to the bleaching/whitening agent, increasing thetemperature of the bleaching/whitening agent above normal bodytemperature (98.6.degree. F.) with a sub-sequential and consequentialincrease in the bleaching/whitening reaction, pursuant to the Q10 Rule,thereby activating and accelerating the bleaching/whitening process ofstained or otherwise discolored teeth.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0198605 discloses a method ofwhitening teeth employing a combination of an oxidizing composition andan accelerator that when exposed to a biologically safe and effectivelevel of photoactinic light (e.g., UV light) the ability of theoxidizing compound in the whitening composition to effect rapid toothwhitening is enhanced.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,795 to Khawaled discloses an electrochemical methodand a device for treating teeth. The method requires use of anactivation solution such as a metal salt solution that is applied toteeth before the treatment to increase the tooth conductivity. Followingthe increase of the tooth conductivity an ionizable substance is appliedto teeth. Electric current flows from a source of current to the teeththrough a series of contacts applied directly to the teeth, so as toionize the ionizable substance and reduce the tooth decay.

Techniques (methods, devices) currently employed could provide a uniformtreatment throughout a dental arcade, but involve electric or mechanicalcontact with the treated teeth. Such contacts could result in certainuneasiness of the treated subject. Moreover, the techniques lack theability to easy monitor treatment parameters, chemical quantities andrates of application applied to a dental arcade and a rapid response togum irritation and subject discomfort should such occur.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to provide dental treatment applicatorsthat can be fitted on either one of the upper and lower human dentalarcades.

There are thus provided dental treatment applicators that include twoparts—a portable unit and a dental treatment tray. The tray could bedesigned to be paired with a same or different dental treatment tray sothat both dental treatment trays can be fitted at the same time(concurrently) onto their respective upper and lower dental arcadesthereby treating both dental arcades concurrently and shorteningtreatment time.

The present disclosure also seeks to provide applicators for teethwhitening treatment that are operative to apply teeth whiteningtreatment.

There is thus provided a dental treatment applicator having one or moreenergy-applying elements that can be configured to accelerate the teethwhitening activity of teeth whitening agents applied to a portion of orthe full dental arcade. Such energy-applying elements could apply anelectric current to active or teeth whitening agent, emit in course oftreatment light energy such as, for example, light emitting diodes (LED)and apply acoustic energy causing mechanical vibrations or magneticfields.

In accordance with other examples, the energy-applying elements can bepiezoelectric elements causing desired vibrations and/or a permanent orelectromagnetic elements forming a magnetic field.

In accordance with one example, there is also provided a dentaltreatment applicator, and in particular a dental tray of the applicator,that can include electrodes configured to apply electric current to awhitening agent with a suitable electric conductivity. The whiteningagent could be in a liquid or gel aggregate state. The electrodes couldbe immersed into a whitening or active agent with a suitable electricconductivity loaded into the tray. The electrodes could be adhered towalls of the tray by a suitable biocompatible adhesive or embeddedinside the walls so as to have an exposed surface to create an electriccurrent in the whitening or active agent with a suitable electricconductivity and wherein the exposed surface does not contact the teeth.

The DC-current flowing through the whitening agent, for example such awhitening gel or fluid with a suitable conductivity could also cause anoxidation reaction and a reduction reaction which is commonly referredto as a ‘redox’ reaction. The redox reaction involves an oxidizing agentsuitable for use in teeth whitening procedure.

In accordance with another example the dental treatment tray of thedental treatment applicators can also include piezoelectric elementsthat could protrude from the dental treatment tray walls so that to comeinto contact with the gums when dental treatment applicator is appliedto the dental arcade.

When activated, the piezoelectric elements can vibrate thus massagingthe gums without the abrasive action commonly applied by apparatusessuch as a tooth brush. The massaging effect can temporarily alleviateany discomfort or irritation brought about by the active agents, whichcould be in liquid or gel aggregate state, and/or oxidation process.

In accordance with another example, there is thus also provided a dentaltreatment applicator including a dental treatment tray with a wellaccommodating a dental arcade and active or whitening agent andpiezoelectric elements that can be located so that not to come intocontact with the gums when the dental treatment dental treatmentapplicator is applied to the dental arcade so that when activated, thepiezoelectric elements can vibrate and assist in uniform distribution ofthe active agents throughout the well.

The present disclosure also seeks to provide dental treatmentapplicators that are operative to apply calculus removal treatmentusing, for example, piezoelectric elements.

In accordance with another example, there is thus also provided a dentaltreatment tray of a dental treatment applicator including piezoelectricelements that can affect acoustic-mechanical energy on calculus coatingthe teeth, generating cavitations in the fluid/liquid and causing thecalculus to fracture, loosen and break away from the teeth enamel.

In accordance with another example, there is also provided a dentaltreatment tray of a dental treatment applicator that can also includepermanent magnets adhered to walls of the applicator by a suitablebiocompatible adhesive or embedded inside the walls so that to create amagnetic field inside the well defined by the walls of the tray and thusimprove the teeth whitening process carried out by ions of the active orwhitening agent.

In accordance with another example, there is also provided a method forteeth whitening treatment including applying to a dental arcade andactive whitening agent, which could be in liquid or gel aggregate state,and activating the active agent by applying at least one form of energyselected from a group of forms of energy including light energy,electrical energy and acoustic-mechanical energy.

In accordance with another example, there is also provided applying apermanent magnetic field to the dental arcade while concurrentlyapplying to the active agent electrical energy.

In accordance with another example the dental treatment applicators canalso include a fluid conducting network configured for flushing andrinsing of the dental arcade being treated, removing fluid by suction ordrying and soothing by blowing ambient air over the teeth and/or gums.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective-view and block view simplifiedillustrations of an apparatus according to an example;

FIG. 1C is a cross-section view simplified illustration through aharness of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIGS. 1D and 1E are perspective-view and exploded view simplifiedillustrations of another example;

FIG. 2 is a perspective-view simplified illustration of still anotherexample of a dental treatment dental treatment applicator;

FIG. 3 is a perspective-view simplified illustration of another exampleof a dental treatment applicator;

FIG. 4 is a perspective-view simplified illustration of yet anotherexample of a dental treatment applicator;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are perspective-view simplified illustrations ofother examples of a dental treatment applicator;

FIG. 6 is a perspective-view simplified illustration of yet anotherexample of pairing of dental treatment applicators of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded-view simplified illustration of theexample of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective-view simplified illustration of stillother examples of a dental treatment applicator;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective-view simplified illustrations of otherexamples of a dental treatment applicator; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective-view simplified illustration of still anotherexample of a dental treatment applicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodimentsillustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that mayexist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of theinvention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

In the current disclosure all dental treatment applicators described andillustrated as single dental arcade applicators can be fitted on eitherone of the upper and lower human dental arcades and the dental treatmenttrays can be designed to be paired with a same or different dentaltreatment tray so that both dental treatment trays can be fitted at thesame time (concurrently) onto their respective upper and lower dentalarcades thereby treating both dental arcades concurrently. Otherfeatures, as will be explained in greater detail below, includeaccelerating teeth whitening treatment using, for example, electriccurrent, Light Emitting Diodes (LED), piezoelectric elements and/or amagnetic field and calculus removal employing primarily piezoelectricelements.

As shown in FIG. 1A dental treatment apparatus 100 could include adental treatment applicator or tray 100-1 and a portable unit 118 thatwill be described in greater detail below. FIGS. 1A and 1B areperspective-view and block diagram simplified illustrations of anexample, an upper dental arcade (FIG. 1A) and a lower dental arcade(FIG. 1B) dental treatment applicators or trays 100-1/100-2 can each betrough-shaped, curved in a form of a horseshoe so that to be configuredto accommodate an upper or lower human dental arcade and an activeagent. When paired, a pair of dental treatment applicators or trays100-1/100-2 can be configured to accommodate both upper and lower dentalarcades concurrently.

Dental treatment applicator or tray 100-1 (FIG. 1A) and 100-2 (FIG. 1B)could include a back curved wall 102 and a front curved wall 104 eachintegrally attached to opposite sides of floor 106 (FIG. 3) and togetherdefining a well 112 configured to hold a substance such as, for example,an active or whitening agent (i.e., oxidizing chemical agent), whichcould be in liquid or gel aggregate state, with a suitable electricconductivity. Such as a suitable conductive active agent could be ateeth whitening liquid or gel with electric conductivity exceeding forexample 200-400 microsiemens/cm. Use of such an active agent negates theneed for an additional activating solution such as those used by theexisting dental whitening devices. Walls 102/104 can also includeenergy-applying elements 138. Energy-applying elements 138 can beconfigured to emit in course of dental whitening treatment energy suchas, for example, light energy from light emitting diodes (LED) 802(FIGS. 8A and 8B) or electric energy such as, for example, applied byelectric current electrodes 140/140-1 (FIGS. 6 and 7) as will beexplained in greater detail below. Energy-applying elements 138 could beconfigured and commutated or controlled to address treatment of groupsof teeth or individual teeth. The existing teeth bleaching or whiteningdevices provide a uniform treatment throughout a dental arcade and arenot designed to provide varying degrees of treatment to individual teethwithin a human dental arcade.

Since energy-applying elements 138 are employed to activate and/oraccelerate the suitable conductive active or whitening agent,energy-applying elements 138 located on walls 102 and 104 do not have tocome in contact with the teeth. In particular electric current flowingthrough the active agent from electrodes 140/140-1 could cause a redoxreaction facilitating the teeth bleaching process.

A rim 114 can be optionally thickened and optionally covered with aresilient material so that when dental treatment applicator 100/100-1 isplaced over and accommodates a dental arcade, rim 114 forms a seal withthe gums and prevents leakage of the active agent and in particular ofthe active agent with suitable electric conductivity out of well 112.Optionally, rim 114 can be thickened and configured to extend beyondopening 140 up to a point of complete blockage, if desired, of opening170. Dental treatment applicator 100/100-1 can be made of anybiocompatible material, for example, such as clear plastic or siliconeso that to facilitate view of the level of an active agent inside well112.

Additionally and optionally, dental treatment applicators or trays100-1/100-2 can also include a fluid conducting network similar tonetwork 520 (FIG. 5) for flushing and rinsing the dental arcade beingtreated and others.

Dental treatment applicator or tray 100-1 could be connected via aharness 116 to a portable unit 118 that can include one or more of analternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power source 120, aDC-current generator 124. A computer or a processor 122, asuction/vacuum pump 126, a liquid reservoir 128, a gel reservoir 130, anambient air fan 132 and a waste reservoir 134 could also be included inportable unit 118. Power source 120 could be, for example, a standardelectrical AC grid outlet or a battery configured to supplyenergy-applying elements 138 and DC-current generator 124. DC-currentgenerator 124 could be, for example, an alternating current (AC)rectifier or a battery. Some of the elements listed could be optionaland not necessarily are included in each of the portable units 118.Active or whitening agent in liquid of gel aggregate state could berespectively stored and dispensed from liquid reservoir 128 or gelreservoir 130. Alternatively, the active agent could be manually filledin into well 112.

Portable unit 118 could also include one or more optional valves 160configured to control flow of fluids such as the suitable active agents,water and ambient air through harness 116 conduits 150. Valves 160 canbe in communication with and controlled by computer or processor 122.

Energy-applying elements 138 can be configured to communicate with oneor more of computer 122, power source 120 and/or DC current generator124.

As shown in FIG. 1C, which is a cross-section view simplifiedillustration through harness 116 of FIG. 1, harness 116 can also includeone or more of electrical communication lines 120, data communicationlines 132, conduits 150

Dental treatment applicator or tray 100-2 (FIG. 1B) could be paired(FIGS. 6 and 7) with dental treatment applicator 100-1 (FIG. 1A) andcould be configured to connect directly to portable unit 118 via harness116-1 or indirectly via dental treatment applicator or tray 100-1 aswill be explained in greater detail below. Dental treatment applicatoror tray 100-1 can be connected to harness 116 by one or more electricaland data communication connectors (not shown) such as, for example, aUSB connector or any other suitable electrical and data communicationconnector known in the art and one or more fluid conduit connectors.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1D and 1E, which are perspective-view andexploded view simplified illustrations of another example of apparatus100, where portable unit 118, is attached to dental treatment applicatoror tray 100-1. In a basic implementation, portable unit 118 that couldserve as a handle supporting a convenient handling of apparatus 100 andinclude one or more of alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC)power source 120. In some examples, portable unit 118 can be configuredto implement a specific dental treatment protocol and could be replacedwith another portable unit 118 when a different dental treatmentprotocol is desired.

Alternatively and optionally, portable unit 118 can include one or moredisposable components such as liquid reservoir 128, gel reservoir 130configured to supply the liquid or gel into well 112, waste reservoir134 and power source 120 (FIG. 1A). As described above, portable unit118 can serve as a handle and be attached to either one of dentaltreatment applicators or trays 100-1 and 100-2 or to both applicators100-1 and 100-2. Portable unit 118 can be designed so that the user canclose his or her lips comfortably around portable unit 118 during thetreatment session.

In another example, illustrated in FIG. 2, which is a perspective-viewsimplified illustration of an example of a dental treatment applicator,dental treatment applicator or tray 200 can include piezoelectricelements 202 distributed along walls 102/104 at the level of the gums.Piezoelectric elements 202 can protrude from walls 102/104 so that tocome into contact with the gums when dental treatment applicator 200 isapplied to the dental arcade.

When activated, piezoelectric elements 202 can vibrate at a frequency ofbetween 20 kHz and 36 kHz and in some examples between 20 kHz and 100kHz and a power range between 0.02 to 2.0 watt per element, operative toapply a massaging effect to the gums without the abrasive actioncommonly applied by apparatuses such as a tooth brush. The massagingeffect can temporarily alleviate any discomfort or irritation broughtabout by active agents and/or oxidation process inside well 112.Alternatively and optionally, piezoelectric elements 202 can be locatedalong and protrude from walls 102/104 (e.g., at the level of the gums)so that not to come into contact with the gums when dental treatmentapplicator 200 is applied to the dental arcade (A layer of properbio-compatible electrically insulating material could cover the piezoelements.). In this configuration, when activated, piezoelectricelements 202 can vibrate and assist in uniform distribution and mixingof the active agents throughout well 112 to accelerate their teethwhitening activity. The mixing activity of piezoelectric elements 202can also replenish the active agents in areas where the active agentactivity/concentration has been reduced by, for example, being dilutedby saliva.

Additionally and optionally, piezoelectric elements 202 can vibrate at afrequency of between 20 kHz and 36 kHz and in some examples between 20kHz and 100 kHz and a power range between 0.02 to 2.0 watt per elementthat can bring about superficial debridement of one or more gum celllayers thus stimulating inflamed gum tissue re-growth and healing.

FIG. 3, which is a perspective-view simplified illustration of yetanother example of a dental treatment applicator. Applicator or tray 300can be used as a dental scaler for calculus removal dental treatment. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, piezoelectric elements 302 distributed along andprotrude from walls 102/104 (e.g., at the level of the teeth) so that tocome into contact with the teeth when dental treatment applicator ortray 300 is applied to the dental arcade.

When activated at a frequency of between 20 kHz and 36 kHz and in someexamples between 20 kHz and 100 kHz and a power range between 0.02 to2.0 watt per element, piezoelectric elements 302 can act as dentalscalers by effecting acoustic-mechanical energy on calculus coating theteeth, generating cavitations in the surrounding fluid or liquid that inturn effect shock waves in the liquid causing the calculus to fracture,loosen and break away from the teeth enamel.

Cavitations induced by piezoelectric elements 302 can also enhance theeffect of chemical reactions mainly because of the high energy createdby the temperatures and pressure emitted by the large number ofindividual cavitation bubble implosions in the calculus and liquid.

In the presents of liquid, activation of piezoelectric elements 302 cangenerate vibrations inducing turbulent movement of the liquid that canhelp to remove the plaque from the tooth's surface and to flush out gumpockets. This activity can complement the cavitations-induced calculusremoving activity. The turbulent movement of the liquid or gel couldalso be used to maintain a homogenous concentration of the active orwhitening agent in well 112 and in some examples the piezoelectricelements 302 could be activated concurrently with the application ofDC-current.

Dental treatment applicator 300 can also include multi-purpose apertures502 (FIG. 5) that can be employed to flush well 112 with a liquid suchas water stored in optional liquid reservoir 128 or gel reservoir 130(FIG. 1A) during or after the calculus removal treatment. Flushing couldalso be employed to cool the teeth and gums from heat generated bypiezoelectric elements 302. The flushing liquid can be removed bysuction in the manner explained below.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a perspective view simplifiedillustration of another example of a dental treatment applicator. Asdescribed in Water Electrolysis under a Magnetic Field by T. Iida et al.(Journal of the Electrochemical Society 2007, vol. 154, .sup.no8,[Note(s): E112-E115]), the energy efficiency of water electrolysis isconsiderably improved under a high magnetic field. Hence, application ofelectrolysis of the water based active or whitening agents (i.e.,oxidizing chemical agents) under magnetic field conditions can intensifythe process and speed it along, shortening the chair time of the subjectbeing treated. As mentioned above, treating both dental arcadesconcurrently also contributes to shortening the chair time of thesubject by at least halving the dental treatment time.

Dental treatment applicator 400 can also include permanent magnets402/404 adhered to walls 102/104 by a suitable biocompatible adhesive orembedded inside walls 102/104 so that to create a magnetic field insidewell 112 and thus improve the teeth whitening process carried out by,for example, by application of DC-current through electrodes 140/140-1.

In some situations, employing permanent magnets in dental treatmentapplicator 400 can also simplify the treatment by effecting a magneticfield in well 112 directing the movement of free ions in liquid in well112 thus negating the need for application of an electrical current toDC electrodes 140/140-1 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8B).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, which are perspective-viewsimplified illustrations of still another example of a dental treatmentapplicator. As shown in FIG. 5A, dental treatment applicator or tray 500can also include a fluid conducting network 520 configured, for example,for flushing and rinsing of the dental arcade being treated. The fluidconducting network 520 can include one or more multi-purpose apertures502 in walls 102/104 that communicate with one or more common passages504, depicted in FIG. 5A by phantom lines, inside and along walls102/104 and floor 106 and communicate in turn with one or more liquidreservoir 128, gel reservoir 130 and waste reservoir 134 in portableunit 118 via dedicated conduits 150 (FIG. 1C) inside harness 116 orportable unit 118.

The fluid conducting network 520 and multi-purpose apertures 502 can actas nozzles to supply chemical oxidizing or active agents stored inliquid reservoir 128 or gel reservoir 130 (FIG. 1A), via one or moreconduits 150 (FIG. 1C) in harness 116, through common passages 504 andinto well 112. The amount of chemical oxidizing or fluorinating agentsand rate of supply into well 112 can be controlled via one or morevalves 160 (FIG. 1C) by computer or processor 122 (FIG. 1A) inaccordance with a predetermined protocol.

Additionally or alternatively and optionally, the fluid conductingnetwork 520 multi-purpose apertures 502 can act as intake ports,communicating with suction/vacuum pump 126 (FIG. 1A) via one or moreconduits 150 (FIG. 1C) in harness 116 and common passages 504 to supportrapid evacuation of well 112 from all liquid material into wastereservoir 134 (FIG. 1A). To avoid formation of vacuum in well 112,evacuation of liquid material could be immediately or concurrentlyfollowed by introduction of ambient air into well 112 by ambient air fan132 (FIG. 1A) via one or more conduits 150 (FIG. 1C) in harness 116,common passages 504 and through multi-purpose apertures 502.

Additionally or alternatively and optionally, the multi-purposeapertures 502 of the fluid conducting network 520 could be employed toflush well 112 with a liquid such as water stored in liquid reservoir128 or gel reservoir 130 (FIG. 1A), via one or more conduits 150 (FIG.1C) in harness 116, through common passages 504 and into well 112.Flushing could also be employed to cool the teeth and gums from heatgenerated by energy-applying elements 138 when activating the activeagents (i.e., oxidizing chemical agents) during treatment. The flushingliquid can be removed by suction in the manner explained above.

In another example depicted in FIG. 5B, dental treatment applicator 550can also include two or more resilient partitions 552, positioned inpairs, distributed along walls 102/104 so that each partition on one ofwalls 102/104 is opposite its paired partition on the opposite wall102/104 and normal to the plain of floor 106. Partitions 552 apportionwalls 102/104 into segment pairs, each segment on one of walls 102/104opposite its paired segment on the opposite wall 102/104. Each segmentcan include at least one DC current electrode and at least onemulti-purpose aperture 502. The frequency of location of DC-electrodesand multi-purpose apertures could be configure to support treatment ofeach individual tooth. The electrodes are positioned so that not tocontact adjacent teeth when the applicator is applied to the dentalarcade.

In this example, computer or processor 122 (FIG. 1A) could be configuredto control location and rate of suitable conductive active or whiteningagents (e.g., oxidizing chemical agents with an electric conductivityhigher than 200-400 microsiemens/cm) introduction and activation duringtreatment in accordance with a predetermined protocol preset by a user.Partitions 552 can be located in between two adjacent teeth such thateach segment accommodates at least a single tooth, thus each tooth canbe treated individually. In the case of teeth whitening for example,individual tooth treatment can compensate for uneven distribution ofstaining or discoloration of various teeth. Computer or processor 122can be configured to control and adjust treatment of each individualtooth based on signals received from sensors in dental treatmentapplicator such as, for example, from an optic sensor 580 as will beexplained further below.

The location of the fluid conducting network 520 multi-purpose apertures502 along the height of walls 102/104 (i.e., the axis normal to plain offloor 106) can be determined and set for a specific treatment. As shownin FIG. 5C, multi-purpose apertures 502 can be distributed along the gumline only. This example can be employed, for example, for gum flushingand cooling purposes following a dental treatment session.

Dental treatment applicator 570, depicted in FIG. 5C can also include atleast one sensor selected from a group of sensors including atemperature sensor 572, a liquid level gauge 576 such as, for example, acapacitance sensor, an oxygen sensor 578, an optic sensor 580 and a pHmeter 582. The sensors can be configured to provide computer orprocessor 122 (FIG. 1A) with feedback including real-time treatmentparameters regarding ongoing dental treatment. Computer or processor 122could be configured to adjust treatment process based on treatmentparameters received from sensors 572/576/578/580 and 582 by varyinglocation and rate of active agents (e.g., oxidizing chemical agents)introduction and activation, stopping treatment altogether, evacuatingwell 112 from any material, flushing well 112 with flushing and/orcooling liquid or any other adjustment deemed necessary in accordancewith the data received.

For example, optic sensor 580 can be a color verification sensor thatcan monitor changes in the color of a single tooth or multiple teeth andsignal computer 122 (FIG. 1) when a desired level of whiteness has beenachieved.

Alternatively or additionally and optionally when employing, forexample, a dental treatment applicator such as that depicted in FIG. 5B,several optic sensors 580 can be configured to monitor color ofindividual teeth within a segment of a dental arcade or throughout afull dental arcade and provide computer 122 with information regardingthe color of the individual teeth so that computer 122 can analyze colordifferences between various teeth based on signals received from opticsensor 580 and vary individual dental treatment accordingly.

Real-time treatment parameters can include one or more parametersselected from a group of parameters including temperature inside well112, capacitance between the electrodes, impedance between theelectrodes, level of activity (i.e., level of oxidation) of activeagents, concentration of active agents inside well 112, color of teeth,level of liquid inside well 112 and others.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6 and 7, which are perspective-viewsimplified illustrations of examples of pairing of dental treatmentapplicators or trays 100-1 and 100-2. As shown in FIG. 6, dentaltreatment applicators 100-1/100-2 can be paired and configured so thatto comfortably accommodate both upper dental arcade and lower dentalarcade concurrently thus at least halving the required dental treatmenttime (i.e., shortening dental treatment time by at least 50 percent).

Additionally and optionally, dental treatment applicators or trays100-1/100-2 can each be operative to apply a different dental treatmentto its corresponding dental arcade thus supporting application ofdifferent treatment protocols to different dental arcades concurrentlynegating the need for separate treatment times for each treatmentprotocol.

FIG. 7, which is an exploded perspective-view simplified illustration ofpaired dental treatment applicators or trays 100-1/100-2 of FIG. 2,depicts one or more electrical and data communication connectors702/702-1 comprising male 702 and female 702-1 components, each located,for example but not necessarily, on floor 106 of each of the paireddental treatment applicators or trays 100-1/100-2. Electrical and datacommunication connector 702-1/702-2 facilitates electrical and datacommunication between dental treatment applicators 100-1/100-2 negatingthe need for dental treatment applicator 100-2 to connect directly toportable unit 118 and obviating harness 116-1 (FIG. 1).

Floors 106 of paired dental treatment applicators or trays 100-1/100-2are configured to be removably attached to each other by attachments 704facilitating easy attachment and detachment of dental treatmentapplicators 100-1/100-2 to and from one another. Attachments 704 can be,for example, strips of a mild adhesive allowing detachment of paireddental treatment applicators or trays 100-1/100-2 from one another byexertion of mild force or a fabric hook-and-loop fastener such asVelcro™ (Velcro™, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Alternatively andoptionally, attachments 704 can be relatively weak magnets allowingdetachment of dental treatment applicators 100-1/100-2 from each otherby exertion of mild force. Attachments 704 are depicted on dentaltreatment tray 100-1 of FIG. 7 by phantom lines.

As known in the art, both fluorination and teeth whitening proceduresbenefit from ionization by electrolysis of fluorinating and oxidizingagents by running an electrical current therethrough. Additionally,agents such as peroxides undergo oxidation in the presence of moisture,proteinaceous material (oral tissues), light and/or heat. Hence, heatand light application to the active agents, which could be in liquid orgel aggregate state (i.e., oxidizing chemical agents) can activate theprocess, intensify it and speed it along, shortening the chair time ofthe subject being treated. As mentioned above, treating both dentalarcades concurrently also contributes to shortening the chair time ofthe subject by at least halving the dental treatment time.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8A, which is a perspective-view simplifiedillustration of an example of a dental treatment applicator as depictedin FIG. 8A, dental treatment applicator or tray 800 energy-applyingelements 138 of FIGS. 1A and 1B can be Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 802.

LEDs 802 can emit an effective level of actinic light (e.g., UV light)and activate active agents such as whitening compositions orfluorinating compositions introduced into well 112 to effect rapid toothwhitening or fluorine uptake by the teeth. Additionally, LEDs 802 alsogenerate heat further intensifying the process, speeding it along andshortening the chair time of the subject being treated.

Referring back to FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8B, energy-applying elements 138(FIGS. 1A and 1B) can be DC current electrodes 140/140-1 (FIGS. 4, 6, 7and 8B) positioned on the inside surfaces of walls 102 and 104 andcommunicating with DC current generator 124 and computer 122 (FIG. 1A).The polarity of DC current electrodes 140 is opposite the polarity ofelectrodes 140-1, i.e., if DC current electrodes 140 have a negativepolarity (cathode), electrodes 140-1 have a positive polarity (anode)and vice versa, maintaining a voltage therebetween and generating acurrent when an active agent with suitable electrical conductivity, forexample, a teeth whitening gel or liquid, is placed in well 112, incontact with both electrodes 140 and 140-1.

When applying DC current energy to the dental arcade via DC currentelectrodes 140/140-1, in the presence of a suitable conductive whiteningagent, fluid or gel, the current generated between the electrodesactivates the oxidizing agent thus enhancing the agent's activity,accelerating the treatment. Additionally, DC current energy applied byDC current electrodes 140/140-1 generates heat within the active agentwhich could be a fluid or gel, further accelerating the treatment andshortening chair time of the subject being treated. Electrodes 140 and140-1 are placed on walls 102 and 104 so that when treatment trays100-1/100-2 are placed onto the respective dental arcades electrodes140/140-1 contact only the fluid or gel with suitable electricconductivity and do not contact the teeth themselves. In such aconfiguration when using a suitable conductive gel that can be a gelhaving, for example, conductivity exceeding 200-400 microsiemens/cm, noadditional activating agent or solution is required.

Alternatively and optionally and as depicted in FIG. 8B, dentaltreatment applicator 800 could include both DC current applyingelectrodes 140/140-1 and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 802. LED's 802 canbe activated to generate photoactinic light and generate heat tosensitize and begin activation of the whitening composition orfluorinating composition followed by electrodes 140/140-1 activation sothat to bring about full activation of the active or whitening agentcomposition without further elevation of temperature of the active agentcompositions and/or dental arcade (teeth and/or gums) and preventdiscomfort to the subject being treated. In this configuration, LED's802 and electrodes 140/140-1, controlled by computer or processor 122that can address individually each tooth or segment of the dentalarcade.

Alternatively and optionally, and as depicted in FIG. 9A, which is aperspective-view simplified illustration of another example of a dentaltreatment applicator, dental treatment applicator 800 one or moreelectrodes 902 can be in a form of an electrically conductive strip andplaced along the curved surface of walls 102 and/or 104. In anotherconfiguration, shown in FIG. 9B, continuous electrodes in the form ofelectrically conductive strips 902/904 are placed on walls 104 and 102respectively and in contact with only the fluid or gel with suitableelectric conductivity and do not contact the teeth themselves. Duringtreatment, electrodes 902/904 can be electrically connected to oppositeelectrical poles so to cause a redox reaction facilitating the teethbleaching process.

As shown in FIG. 10, which is a perspective-view simplified illustrationof still another example of a dental treatment applicatorenergy-applying elements 138 of FIGS. 1A and 1B can be a plurality of DCcurrent-applying elements 1002/1002-1.

The polarity of DC current-applying elements 1002 is opposite thepolarity of DC current-applying elements 1002-1, i.e., if DCcurrent-applying elements 1002 have a negative polarity (cathode), DCcurrent-applying elements 1002-1 have a positive polarity (anode) andvice versa, maintaining a voltage therebetween and generating a currentwhen an electrolytic chemical agent is placed in well 112, in contactwith both DC current-applying elements 1002 and 1002-1.

Additionally and optionally, DC current-applying elements 1002-2/1002-1can be individually supplied by DC current energy generator 124 andindividually controlled by computer or processor 122 so that the DCcurrent between pairs of DC current-applying elements 1002-2/1002-1 canvary at various locations along the dental arcade being treated by theactivated whitening gel with suitable electric conductivity and applytreatment to one or more segments of the dental arcade or to individualteeth without being in contact with the teeth. For example, dentaltreatment can vary from treatment at discrete locations through regionalactivation (e.g., provide a gradient of level of activity along thedental arcade) to full dental arcade treatment of fluorination orwhitening treatment to the teeth.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentmethod and apparatus are not limited to what has been particularly shownand described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the method and apparatusincludes both combinations and sub-combinations of various featuresdescribed hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereofwhich would occur to a person skilled in the art upon reading theforegoing description and which are not in the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dental treatment apparatus comprising: a firstdental treatment tray comprising a first wall, a second wall that isspaced apart from the first wall, and a floor extending between thefirst and second walls, the first and second walls and the floorcollectively defining a well configured to accommodate an upper or lowerdental arcade, each of the first and second walls having an innersurface that faces the well; a plurality of first electrodes located onthe inner surface of the first wall and a plurality of second electrodeslocated on the inner surface of the second wall, the pluralities offirst and second electrodes configured to apply electric current to anactive agent disposed within the well; a plurality of first lightsources located on the inner surface of the first wall and a pluralityof second light sources located on the inner surface of the second wall,each of the first and second light sources configured to emit light intothe well; and wherein the plurality of first electrodes and theplurality of first light sources are positioned in an alternating manneralong the first wall and wherein the plurality of second electrodes andthe plurality of second light sources are positioned in an alternatingmanner along the second wall.
 2. The dental treatment apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the first and second walls extend from afirst end to a second end, and wherein the plurality of first electrodesand the plurality of first light sources are arranged in an alternatingmanner along the first wall as the first wall extends from the first endto the second end and wherein the plurality of second electrodes and theplurality of second light sources are arranged in an alternating manneralong the second wall as the second wall extends from the first end tothe second end.
 3. The dental treatment apparatus according to claim 1wherein each of the plurality of first light sources and each of theplurality of first electrodes are located on the first wall at a firstheight above the floor and wherein each of the plurality of second lightsources and each of the plurality of second electrodes are located onthe second wall at a second height above the floor.
 4. The dentaltreatment apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the first and secondheights are the same.
 5. The dental treatment apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein each of the first electrodes is spaced apart from thefirst light sources that are adjacent thereto by a gap, and wherein eachof the second electrodes is spaced apart from the second light sourcesthat are adjacent thereto by a gap.
 6. The dental treatment apparatusaccording to claim 5 wherein the first wall terminates in a distal edge,and further comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements located onthe inner surface of the first wall within the gaps between the firstelectrodes and the first light sources.
 7. The dental treatmentapparatus according to claim 6 wherein at least a portion of each of thepiezoelectric elements is located on the inner surface of the first wallat an elevation above the floor that is between the distal edge of thefirst wall and an uppermost portion the first electrodes.
 8. The dentaltreatment apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each of thepiezoelectric elements protrudes from the inner surface of the firstwall into the well.
 9. The dental treatment apparatus according to claim1, wherein the plurality of first electrodes are at least partiallyembedded within the first wall so that an outer surface of each of thefirst electrodes that faces the well is exposed and wherein theplurality of second electrodes are at least partially embedded withinthe second wall so that an outer surface of each of the secondelectrodes that faces the well is exposed.
 10. The dental treatmentapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a portable unitdetachably coupled to the first dental treatment tray, the portable unitcomprising a housing that contains a power source and a processor thatare operably coupled together and to the electrodes and the lightsources.
 11. The dental treatment apparatus according to claim 10wherein the first wall has an outer surface opposite the inner surfaceand further comprising a connector extending from the outer surface ofthe first wall, and wherein the portable unit is detachably coupled tothe connector to physically couple the portable unit to the first dentaltreatment tray and to electrically couple the power source and theprocessor of the portable unit to the electrodes and the light sourcesof the first dental treatment tray.
 12. The dental treatment apparatusaccording to claim 10 further comprising a plurality of portable unitsthat are each configured for detachable coupling to the first dentaltreatment tray, and wherein each of the plurality of portable units isconfigured to implement a different dental treatment protocol whencoupled to the first dental treatment tray.
 13. The dental treatmentapparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a second dentaltreatment tray detachably coupled to the first dental treatment tray,the second dental treatment tray comprising: a first wall, a second wallthat is spaced apart from the first wall, and a floor extending betweenthe first and second walls, the first and second walls of the seconddental treatment tray collectively defining a well configured toaccommodate an upper or lower dental arcade; and at least one of thirdelectrodes and third light sources located on at least one of the firstand second walls of the second dental treatment tray.
 14. The dentaltreatment apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the first and seconddental treatment trays comprise bottom surfaces that face one anotherwhen the first and second dental treatment trays are coupled together, afirst electrical and data communication connector located on the bottomsurface of the first dental treatment tray and a second electrical anddata communication connector located on the bottom surface of the seconddental treatment tray, and wherein the first and second electrical anddata communication connectors mate with one another to electricallycouple the first and second dental treatment trays together.
 15. Thedental treatment apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising aportable unit detachably coupled to the first dental treatment tray, theportable unit comprising a housing that contains a power source and aprocessor that are operably coupled together, and wherein the powersource and the processor of the portable unit power the electrodes andthe light sources of both of the first and second dental treatmenttrays.
 16. The dental treatment apparatus according to claim 1 furthercomprising a processor operably coupled to the pluralities of first andsecond electrodes and the pluralities of first and second light sources,and wherein the processor is configured to: activate the pluralities offirst and second light sources to generate light and heat that isapplied to an active agent in the well; and after the pluralities offirst and second light sources have been activated for a predeterminedperiod of time, activate the pluralities of first and second electrodesto generate an electric current that is applied to the active agent inthe well.
 17. The dental treatment apparatus according to claim 1further comprising a processor operably coupled to the pluralities offirst and second electrodes and the pluralities of first and secondlight sources, and wherein the process is configured to individuallyactivate each of the first and second electrodes.
 18. A dental treatmentapparatus comprising: a first dental treatment tray comprising a firstwall, a second wall that is spaced apart from the first wall, and afloor extending between the first and second walls, the first and secondwalls and the floor collectively defining a well configured toaccommodate an upper or lower dental arcade, each of the first andsecond walls having an inner surface that faces the well; and a firstelectrode strip located on the inner surface of the first wall and asecond electrode strip located on the inner surface of the second wall,the first and second electrode strips configured to apply electriccurrent to an active agent disposed within the well.
 19. The dentaltreatment apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the inner surface ofthe first wall is concave and the inner surface of the second wall isconvex, the first electrode strip having a concave exposed surface andthe second electrode strip having a convex exposed surface, the firstand second electrode strips being aligned with one another, wherein thefirst electrode strip is at least partially embedded within the firstwall so that an outer surface of the first electrode strip that facesthe well is exposed, and wherein the second electrode strip is at leastpartially embedded within the second wall so that an outer surface ofthe second electrode strip that faces the well is exposed.
 20. A methodof treating an oral cavity comprising: providing a dental treatment traycomprising: a first wall, a second wall that is spaced apart from thefirst wall, and a floor extending between the first and second walls,the first and second walls and the floor collectively defining a well,each of the first and second walls having an inner surface that facesthe well; at least one electrode located on the inner surface of each ofthe first and second walls; and at least one light source located on theinner surface of at least one of the first and second walls; placing anamount of an active agent into the well so that an exposed surface ofthe electrodes on the first and second walls and an exposed surface ofthe light source are in contact with the active agent; positioning thedental treatment tray into an oral cavity so that an upper or lowerdental arcade is positioned within the well; activating the at least onelight source to generate light and heat that is applied to the activeagent in the well; and after the at least one light source has beenactivated for a predetermined period of time, activating the electrodesto generate an electric current that is applied to the active agent inthe well.